Dr. Paul Posner, Director

Contact: Amanda Myers, Graduate Specialist

mpa@gmu.edu (703) 993-9466

The MPA degree is designed to build the knowledge base and skills required of leaders in organizations that develop or implement public policy. The program is among the first to address implications of the growing reliance of government on a wide range of third parties (other governments, private contractors, and nonprofits) to achieve public goals and accountability.

The goal of the MPA program is to give graduate students the opportunity to build their knowledge of politics, policy, and management and to enhance their analytic, problem solving, and communication skills. MPA students can choose to focus their elective courses in an established concentration or, with advisor approval, select courses from several concentrations or fields. The program offers five graduate certificates.

The MPA program takes full advantage of George Mason's close proximity to the nation's capital and has close partnerships with government agencies at all levels, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution, as well as numerous non-profit agencies. This provides a wealth of opportunities for internships and job opportunities locally, regionaly, and internationally. Students can participate in the Master's International Program, which incorporates 2 years of Peace Corps service into the MPA.

Interested students are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session.